Share this:

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – AUGUST 25: Andrew McCutchen #22 of the San Francisco Giants is congratulated by manager Bruce Bochy #15 after McCutchen scored agains the Texas Rangers in the bottom of the first inning at AT&T Park on August 25, 2018 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

DENVER — The Giants acquired two prospects from the New York Yankees for Andrew McCutchen, and one of those players is set to make his major league debut.

Prior to Tuesday’s game in Denver, the Giants promoted infielder Abiatal Avelino, 23, from Triple-A Sacramento.

The Giants sent McCutchen and cash to the Yankees for Avelino and right-handed pitching prospect Juan De Paula, who started and threw five innings for Low-A Augusta on Sunday.

Avelino began the year at Double-A in the Yankees’ system but was promoted to Triple-A after posting impressive offensive numbers. The Dominican Republic native had a .945 OPS at Double-A before his average and slugging percentage plummeted in Triple-A.

Get San Francisco Giants news in your inbox. Sign up now for the free Giants HQ newsletter.

Giants general manager Bobby Evans indicated Friday that Avelino has better tools defensively than offensively and the franchise can play him at a variety of positions around the infield.

“He’s been more of a defensive player with plus speed and arm strength and the ability to play in the middle of the field,” Evans said. “Offensively, really what he did in Double-A in 50 games or so was really the best he’s done.”

Avelino went 2 for 13 in three games with Triple-A Sacramento this weekend and could earn playing time at shortstop with the Giants in September. Brandon Crawford missed three games over the weekend with left knee soreness and as the season winds down, the Giants don’t need to continue grinding Crawford every day.

“Short, second, he’ll get most of the pregame work at shortstop but I’ll use him off the bench,” manager Bruce Bochy said. “He’ll pinch run, pinch hit, things like that.”

To clear a 40-man roster spot for Avelino, the Giants transferred starter Jeff Samardzija (shoulder inflammation) to the 60-day disabled list. Samardzija last pitched July 14 and Bochy said last week it’s “doubtful” Samardzija will pitch again for the Giants this season.

Samardzija said he has not discussed pitching again this season with the Giants’ training staff as doctors advised him to continue resting his shoulder. After receiving a second opinion last week that confirmed Samardzija won’t require surgery, the right-hander said he’ll continue to seek information from doctors.

“It doesn’t mean one guy is an idiot and one guy is a genius,” Samardzija said.

The veteran pitcher initially felt shoulder tightness toward the end of spring training and he lamented the timing of the injury.

“The timing of the injury was so unfortunate just because of the start of the season and there wasn’t really a decisive injury,” Samardzija said.

Aside from promoting Avelino, the Giants also recalled infielder Ryder Jones from Triple-A Sacramento. Bochy said Jones could spell Brandon Belt at first base and Evan Longoria at third base, but the Giants have no plans for Jones to start regularly.

Bochy said the Giants don’t expect to make any additional call-ups for a roster that now holds 32 players.